SHORT AND SNAPPY
Ceremonies
Ceremonies reinforce values, pass on
traditions, recognize accomplishments,
strengthen friendships, and give life to the
beliefs mentioned in the Girl Scout
Promise and Law.  It’s a short interactive group
discussion provided at a
service unit or circle
meeting.
 Any service unit team
member, interested
volunteer, or learning
facilitator may guide a short
and snappy.
 It’s 15-25 minutes long.
Objectives:
 Understand the importance
and roles of ceremonies in
Girl Scouting
 Learn different types of
traditional ceremonies and
their purpose
What You Will Need
 Ceremony Planning
Worksheet
 Girl’s Guide to Girl Scouting
Types
How to Facilitate
 Ask and acknowledge
questions. Your
audience will know
you are listening and
involved.
 Have everyone share
their experiences.
Volunteers want to
connect with each
other and this is one
way they can do so.
 Use a variety of
techniques and
strategies such as
handing out candy
when people
participate or
encourage attendees
to write their ideas on
the newsprint.
 Discuss the different
types of the
ceremonies and their
importance to Girl
Scouts.
 What ceremonies
have you done
before? How could
they be done
differently? Are they
girl-led? What is a
Short and Snappy?
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Opening/closing ceremonies signify the start or end of a meeting.
Flag ceremonies honor the American flag.
Girl Scout Highest Awards honor Girl Scouts Juniors, Cadettes,
Seniors, or Ambassadors who have earned the Girl Scout Bronze,
Silver, or Gold Award.
Investiture/Rededication welcomes girls or adults into the Girl
Scout family for the first time or renews their commitment for the
new membership year. They receive their Girl Scout pin at this time.
Bridging ceremonies mark a girl's advancement from one grade
level of Girl Scouts to another.
Planning Hints
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Devote sufficient time to planning the ceremony. They should be for
the girls and planned by them. Refer to The Girl’s Guide to Girl
Scouting to help girls plan their ceremonies.
Every ceremony has three basic parts: opening, main, and closing.
They can be small or large; formal or informal.
Take safety precautions when using candles or fires, or when
constructing bridges or platforms. Refer to Volunteer Essentials and
the Safety Activity Checkpoints.
Add personal elements to traditional ceremonies. Use the girl’s
favorite poems, songs, stories, and sayings.
Activity
Have girls provide an opening flag ceremony for your service unit meeting, or
provide the ceremony planning worksheet as a resource for your next troop
or service unit ceremony. Ceremony Planning Worksheet
What kind of ceremony?
What is the theme?
When will it occur? (date/time)
Where will occur?
Who will we invite?
What kind of invitations will we use?
Will we have decorations or props?
Do we want to include songs or poems?
Will we have refreshments? What will they be? Who will bring them? Quantity?
What is our budget for this event?
Who will purchase needed supplies and refreshments?
How will the ceremony begin? Who will speak?
What activities will be included in the main part of the ceremony? Who are we honoring?
How will the ceremony end?
Will a rehearsal be scheduled for the ceremony? When?
And afterwards, when will we evaluate it? What went well? What went not so well? What can we
do better next time?
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